Giving Thanks

Updates: 

• Today was my half-way point PET scan. This scan shows the effectiveness of the treatment plan. 
• I won’t hear the official results of the scan from my doctor until December 2^nd. However, they have released preliminary results. Here are the highlights: 1) The cancerous lymph nodes are reduced in size. Some are completely gone! 2) My liver no longer has cancer on it. 3) There is activity on my bones, but the scan can’t show exactly what that is. It could be the chemo working. (Which is likely) but the doctor will have to tell me. So, in summary: It is a good report and the treatment plan is working! Praise the Lord!!

Prayer Requests and Praises:

• My Sunday prayer was that this week would be the best cancer killing week to date. On Monday we waited over an hour in the lobby for my chemo infusion. This was unusual. The nurse came out and told me they had to lower the dosage of my infusion based on weight and vitals. This was disappointing news. The original plan was to blast me as hard as possible with the max dosage of chemo until my body surrendered. If my body could not handle it, then they would need to adjust the meds. It seemed my body was raising a white flag. So, when we were finally called back for treatment, I asked for an update. The nurse was incorrect. They actually increased my dosage instead of lowering it! This is because I’ve gained so much weight – which is unusual and a very good thing! Our nutritionist said she has never seen this happen with people on my treatment plan. I had no idea they could increase my dosage, but the Lord knew and answered prayer. Thank you for praying! 
• It is incredible the cancer spots are gone from my liver. This is phenomenal news and a result of what the Lord has done.
• Please pray my cancer continues to decrease during the last half of my treatment!

What I am Learning: 

• Early on in this journey, Pastor Heath encouraged me to read the book of Philippians and write out its implications for suffering. Here are eight truths for Christians about suffering from chapter 2 of Philippians. 

1. I have the mind of Christ to become obedient even to the point of death – even death on a cross (Philippians 2:5–9).

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5–8)

2. God the Father rewarded Jesus for his obedience to submit to the will of God to suffer and exalted him to the praise and glory of God (Philippians 2:9-11).
3. In suffering, do not grumble or complain, so I may be innocent and blameless in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation (Philippians 2:14-15). 
4. I can shine during suffering by holding fast to the word of life (Philippians 2:15-16). 
5. Paul was glad to be poured out in suffering for the faith of others and rejoices in this opportunity (Philippians 2:17).  
6. Suffering is an opportunity for the church to rejoice together (Philippians 2:18).
7. Suffering is an opportunity to think of the interests of others (Philippians 2:21, 26). 

“For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” … “for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.” 

8. Recovering from suffering is a cause for joy to be restored to everyone (Philippians 2:28-30).

What Has Been Encouraging: 

• We are looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving next week. We are planning on the best Thanksgiving celebration we have ever had as a family. 
• As we prepare, we have been putting together a “Thankful Tree” during the month of November. It is a way we can add leaves each day and seek to cultivate the habit of gratitude to God. This year our plan is to take down all the leaves on Thanksgiving Day and read them during our meal. 

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like streams in the Negeb!
Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126)